Miss July 2012

This month’s Sexy Bad Ass vegan is from San Diego, California… When she is not studying or creating great vegan dishes with her two wonderful children, you can find her running, surfing or even skydiving. Make sure you check out Miss July: Nastasha! Name: Stasha

Where do you live and where are you from? I am from Sunny San Diego, CA

Age? 28

What do you do for a living/profession? I recently left the finance world to go back to school for nutrition. My dream is to make a living educating people on plant based nutrition & healthy lifestyles.

What do you like to do for fun? Everything! But to narrow it down a bit, I love to surf, I’m obsessed really, I play soccer a few times a week and coach my son’s team as well. I love playing just about any sport, football, basketball, volleyball, and I also love to snowboard.

How long have you been vegan? I have been Vegan for about a year.

Why did you become vegan? I have been obsessed with educating myself about nutrition since I can remember. I lost a family member to an autoimmune disease when I was very young, It was actually the medication for the disease that was the cause of death in the end. For some reason that sparked this fire in me and over the years it’s grown and grown. Several years back I was turned onto the pescatarian lifestyle and did that, up until I saw the life changing documentary “Forks Over Knives” I have been a Vegan since the moment the movie ended. I went on to read China Study & even did Dr. Campbell’s certificate on plant based nutrition. It was the best decision nutritionally that I have ever made for myself.

How was your transition? It was surprisingly easy! From the very beginning, I focused on all the amazing foods that I was able to eat, rather than thinking about the things I wouldn’t be eating anymore. I love to cook and create new recipes and it was so much fun discovering all the wonderful recipes that I could come up with in the plant based world.

I love to tell them what a typical day in the life of “Nastasha” looks like!What is the funniest misconception(s) that you have heard about vegans? I love when people tell me that Vegans don’t have any energy because they don’t eat protein! I manage to cook for myself and my two children breakfast, lunch and dinner, clean, work out, surf, play soccer, coach soccer, run, homework, studying, work, blog, did I mention take care of two kiddies every day of the week? That’s not even the half of it! Honestly, I run circles around the average meat eater!! 😉

What is your Favorite thing(s) about being a vegan? The way that I feel.. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s a way of life and I don’t want to live mine any other way.

What do you think makes a Sexy Bad Ass Vegan? Someone who is passionate about the Healthy Vegan lifestyle! Someone who can show the world that Vegans are bad ass! 😉

What is the best Vegan Restaurant you have ever had the pleasure of eating at? So hard to narrow that down to just one.. Herbivore in San Francisco was amazing. I have to give a shout out to my hometowns only Vegan restaurant.. Happy Vegan in Escondido!

What advice do you have for those that are thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle? Watch Forks Over Knives & Earthlings!! Then read China Study. After that, challenge yourself to 30 days and after that, you will know and feel the benefits of this amazing lifestyle.

Do you have a website to share with the BAV nation? www.ahealthycraving.com If you are looking for some yummy vegan recipes or if your’e in the San Diego area and interested in some Healthy Vegan cooking classes 😉